GP Super Clinics - Is there ever anything for nothing - 4 ?!

Doors open at medical superclinic

Fallon Hudson | 11th October 2011 - Daily Mercury

Tags  gp superclinic, mackay, rural view

Registered Nurse Vanessa Gilmore in the after hours emergency treatment room which has seven beds available for patients.

Related links

• Call for GP Super Clinic input
• Work on super clinic begins in Qld
• GPs not keen on a super clinic
• GPs back push for super clinics

THERE is a cafe, an ocean mural and the smell of citrus in the waiting room.
Did I mention this is a doctor's surgery?
Yesterday was the first day of business for the GP Superclinic in Rural View with many patients walking through the door.

The GP Superclinic includes dietician services, occupational therapy, pharmacy, pathology, dentistry, physiotherapy, cosmetic clinic, skin cancer clinic, therapeutic massage, naturopathy, colonic hydrotherapy and homeopathy.
GP Superclinic owner Dr John McIntosh and his wife Elizabeth said the physiotherapist was open for business, and the dentist, podiatrist and naturopath would be open in two weeks. Pathology, the pharmacy and the cosmetic clinic will open within the month.
"This has been a five-year project for us," Dr McIntosh said.
"It has been such a long process - we are elated.
"We have had a great journey and had great support from friends, family, staff and the community," he said.

Dr McIntosh said there were 11 doctor consulting rooms with eight doctors working, with the plan to have 11 full-time doctors in the next six months.
"There is nice energy in the building and it is very open and bright. Even though some of the rooms don't have windows, there is natural light coming in from the ceiling," Dr McIntosh said.
"The important thing is the patients' comfort and the ambience of the place."

Mrs McIntosh said they chose blue as the decor colour for its healing ability.
"Even though people are totally unaware of what we have done, we have chosen the right tempo music to reduce brain cycles and pacifies nervous systems," she said.
She said they also have aromatherapy diffusers which disperse citrus oil to lower stress levels.

Dr McIntosh said, in the future, patients would be able to make online bookings, and would be able to check themselves in for appointments using an iPad at reception.

SWSLHD and Bowral's Health - 24

Action planned on national PSA testing guideline

4th Oct 2011 Catherine Hanrahan   all articles by this author

THE heated debate about PSA testing is set to intensify, with plans underway to develop a consensus document offering Australia’s first national advice on early detection of prostate cancer.

Cancer Australia CEO Dr Helen Zorbas said experts and key stakeholders would be consulted to develop evidence-based advice and “the NHMRC would be involved in the process”.

“Cancer Australia... undertakes regular surveillance and monitoring of the cancer research evidence to develop advice and inform practice and policy,” Dr Zorbas told MO.
 “Consistent with this activity, we will review and analyse the evidence about early detection of prostate cancer.”

Confirmation of plans for a national guideline coincided with a call last week from Professor Bruce Armstrong from the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health for an “organised approach to prostate cancer screening”.

While key stakeholders – the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ), the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) – rejected the idea of a national screening program, they agreed there was a need for uniform protocols governing PSA testing.

RACGP spokesperson Professor Chris Del Mar – a public health specialist from Queensland’s Bond University – backed a move for national consensus.

“I personally think it’s time for the NHMRC to take a leadership role in this,” Professor Del Mar said.

He said the RACGP Red Book advice on PSA testing would change if different recommendations were reached by a consensus committee, but he added, “it should be evidence based”.

Speaking at the Public Health Association of Australia conference in Brisbane last week, Professor Armstrong called for the current ad hoc testing to be replaced by an organised approach.

Australia already had a “de facto” prostate cancer screening program, given that the rate of PSA testing was similar to mammogram and Pap smear screen rates, he said.

“The way things are happening at the moment out there – with a high degree of variability, no guidelines – means it is pretty unlikely that under present circumstances the benefits [of PSA testing] are exceeding the harms,” Professor Armstrong said.

USANZ president Dr Stephen Ruthven said they were not advocating government-funded screening for all, but believed men should be educated about the pros and cons of the test.

Dr Anthony Lowe, CEO of the PCFA, said there was currently insufficient evidence for a national prostate cancer screening program but more research about this was needed.

Tags: PSA guidelines, Cancer Australia, Helen Zorbas, RACGP, Urological Society of Australia

Comments:

 

Len Moaven
4th Oct 2011
3:36pm

The MBS stats speak for themselves. Look at item numbers 66655, 66656, 66659 and 66660. For calender year 2010 there were 1.65m claims for these item numbers. Then take into account the grand cone and the temporal restrictions on claiming an MBS rebate then I would add at least another 200 000 'unpaid' tests ie there were close to 2 million PSA tests performed in 2010. Even then taking into account that a proportion of these are related to cancer monitoring etc then we already have de facto screening. Furthermore it would appear that there at least 100 000 tests performed in men under 45y of age.

 

Babyteeth
4th Oct 2011
3:42pm

Doesn't the Profession look like a bunch of dumb heads. PSA testing works, like any good test, as long as you are scientific and thoughtful about it. The RACGP anti-PSA testing lobby should be ashamed for their emotive, non-scientific approach. Your spurious pseudo-scientific arguments about statistically significant findings are just intentionally mishandling of the data. You have to make an effort to find what the data can show you and not just making a sabotaging, passive-aggressive interpretation. The data show you people with cancer have abnormal PSAs, and that is the only result you need to comprehend........... The question is early diagnosis of Cancer. The argument about impotency or incontinence after excessive surgery or operating on a benign Prostate is not relevant to the argument. The latter is just poor decision making, or bad luck and nothing to do with PSA testing. The only question you have to deal with is the Patient has an abnormal PSA ...so what do I do?

SWSLHD and Bowral's Health - 23

Doctors endorse patient allowance increase
28th September 2011
By: The Weekly

The Rural Doctors Association of NSW (RDA NSW) has thanked the NSW Government for increasing the assistance available to rural patients who have to travel for medical treatment.

RDA NSW president Dr Tilak Dissanayake of Coolah said the boost to the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme, worth $28 million over four years, was well overdue and will make a real difference to patients in the bush.

"The assistance that has been available to rural patients to help cover the expense of long journeys to access specialist care has been woeful," Dr Dissanayake said.
An increase in these allowances has been something that RDA NSW has campaigned for over many years and we thank NSW Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, for acting so quickly on this issue.

Dr Dissanayake said it was hard to believe that it is 11 years since there has been any increase in accommodation assistance payments, which will now be $43 for single accommodation (up from $33) and $60 for double accommodation (up from $46).
"The travel allowance has gone up from 15 cents per km to 19 cents per km and the funding for staying with relatives or friends has increased from a pitiful $30 to a more realistic $140 per week," he said.

"Possibly the best thing about this reform is that these subsidies will now be available to all rural patients who have to travel 200 km or more in one week for treatment previously they were available exclusively to patients undergoing renal dialysis." This latest policy announcement is the second election promise delivered in regards to rural health and Dr Dissanayake said that it was very encouraging to see the NSW Coalition, and in particular Mrs Skinner, responding so pro-actively to the concerns of rural doctors.

"There is much to be done to get the rural health system in NSW back on track but this is further evidence that work is being done to deliver a better healthcare deal for those living in the bush," he said.
"We thank the O’Farrell Government for listening to their rural constituents and increasing the help available to them while they are going through what is invariably a difficult time.

SWSLHD and Bowral's Health - 22

Young flood victims hit by depression

29th Sep 2011

THE children of families fighting for flood insurance payouts are showing disturbing signs of depression, a federal inquiry has been told.

Flood victims' health was being put at risk, with some having no choice but to continue living in damaged homes for months before insurance assessors arrived, the inquiry heard this week in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.

The inquiry is looking at how the insurance industry handled claims during Queensland's summer of natural disasters.

Lockyer Valley Flood Recovery coordinator Derek Pingel told the hearing antidepressant medication was being prescribed to local teenagers.

Mr Pingel said high school and university students in the region were also showing a slide in academic achievement and motivation because of their parents' financial stress.

"I've noticed children, more teenagers than other children, have been profoundly affected," Mr Pingel said.

"There have been significant rifts between them and their parents."

When asked if any had shown signs of being suicidal, he said: "A few of them had the tendency to go through the act."

Outside the hearing, Mr Pingel told reporters about his direct dealings with flood-affected families across the Lockyer Valley.

"We are seeing quite a high rate of young adults and teenagers with depression going on medication," he said.

Not knowing what was going to happen next was compounding families' stress, he said.

"Adding to the anguish is the extraordinary time taken to get an answer as to whether a) their insurance covers them, or b) if they'll get paid out," he said.

"This is causing family issues that would ordinarily not be there."

AAP

Tags: depression, suicide, floods, teenagers

GP Super Clinics - Is there ever anything for nothing - 3 ?!

Roxon washes hands of Redcliffe super clinic freeze

29th Sep 2011

HEALTH Minister Nicola Roxon has passed responsibility for the stalled Redcliffe GP super clinic to the Queensland government after it rejected an emergency loan request that could have revived the project.

The $5 million centre was meant to have opened in June but is now under a cloud after builders fenced off the site because of a $1.5 million construction bill they say has gone unpaid for two months.

The state-appointed Redcliffe Hospital Foundation, which is in charge of the project, had sought an emergency loan from Queensland – a move supported by the federal government – but was refused.

Ms Roxon said it was disappointing and the delays were "regrettable".

"Nevertheless, despite my disappointment, I respect that decisions involving Queensland finances must be made by the Queensland government," Ms Roxon said this week.

Independent advice tells the federal government that the project is viable and sustainable, so "questions on the reasons for refusal will need to be directed to the Queensland Health Minister [Geoff Wilson]", she added.

Amid coalition claims Ms Roxon was oblivious to the problems at the Redcliffe centre, she insisted she had been aware of the issue "for some time".

She said she personally asked a deputy secretary from her department to get in touch and organise face-to-face meetings with the foundation and various stakeholders as recently as within the past fortnight.

Ms Roxon did not comment on suggestions the commonwealth is working on providing its own emergency funding, but said only that she would work urgently with all parties to ensure the Redcliffe centre is completed.

Mr Wilson said yesterday that he reported the matter to the Crime and Misconduct Commission, requesting an investigation into the project and “the Foundation's failure to ensure compliance with basic finance and accountability standards”.

Ms Roxon said that was a matter for Queensland, but the commonwealth supported "reasonable steps" to strengthen the foundation's governance.

AAP

Tags: Nicola Roxon, Recliffe Hospital Foundation, super clinic, GP, Queensland

Comments:

ed
29th Sep 2011
4:58pm

another success story of Julia's government

 

tedk
29th Sep 2011
5:31pm

And another case of due diligence not being undertaken. Whose responsible?? not me!! Im only the minister!!

 

daria
29th Sep 2011
6:21pm

Not even a government, just a collection of weird bedfellows in a marriage of convenience with all of them trying to consummate their lust for power. Bit like Italy in the 90s. We cant even make decent cars. Not to worry,they'll be gone soon. Don't think well see them again for a long long time.

 

Dr Joe
29th Sep 2011
10:39pm

This government could not get the proverbial kick in a street fight. The incompetence beggars belief

 

sundar
30th Sep 2011
4:06pm

all superclinics should be ditched in my opnion. Ms Roxon should support local
Gps rather than depending on the alleid health bodies. She will learn soon after all superclinics have closed their doors

SWSLHD and Bowral's Health - 21

Stop cuts to mental health funding: doctors’ plea

29th Sep 2011 Andrew Bracey   all articles by this author

DOCTORS have made a plea to Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon to place a moratorium on the looming cuts to Better Access funding in order to provide adequate time for the government to consider the outcome of an ongoing Senate inquiry.

With the inquiry due to hand down its final report on the government’s handling of mental health funding by 20 October, AMA President Dr Steve Hambleton said the 1 November deadline for the introduction of the funding cuts was premature.

“This leaves very little time for serious consideration of the Senate committee report,” Dr Hambleton said.

“Ten days is not enough. The Minister must defer the implementation of the changes to the Better Access program until at least 1 November 2012 to allow proper consideration of the compelling evidence against the cuts,” he said.

Dr Hambleton argued the 12-month moratorium on Better Access funding would provide adequate time for the government “to acknowledge the error of its ways and restore the Better Access funding”.

If the government fails to agree to the requested moratorium, the current rebate of $163.35 for a mental health plan for GPs trained in level 1 mental health skills, will be replaced by a rebate based on timed consultations from 1 November.

The new rebates will be $85.92 for a plan written during a consultation of 20–39 minutes, $126.43 for a 40-minute consult for GPs trained in mental health skills, and $67.65 and $99.50 respectively, for GPs without the training.

Tags: Stop cuts to mental health funding: doctors plea

Comments:

sergie
29th Sep 2011
6:20pm

A Mental Health Care Plan after 1st November 2011

Dear Mr... Ms... Um...the patient didn't know your name,

This patient, what's his name? - for the medicare rebate, I didn't have the time to get his either - suffers from depression/ anxiety/bipolar disorder/ delusions/ hallucinations/child abuse/ absent self-esteem/ obsessive-compulsive behaviour/ anti-social tendencies/ addictions to alcohol, gambling and pethidine/ dyslexia/ uncontrollable anger/ suicidal ruminations/ wishes to kill someone/ (cross out whichever does/do not apply), carries/rope/ a knife/ gun/hand grenade/assorted explosives wherever he goes (ditto) and has been prevailed upon by his bullied/battered/abused/neglected wife and children to change his ways.

I look forward to your comprehensive report and continuing management of this man.

With thanks.

 

tvkdas
29th Sep 2011
7:24pm

I almost 100% bulk bill but have drawn the line in the sand. As it takes me time to do a proper care plan, I will charge a fair fee for the plan as a reflection of this as well as my expertise (which, mind you, they insisted on us "upskilling" through the additional training for the higher rebate and then about face with this plan to decimate the rebate) and I will make it abundantly clear to my patient that it is Julia Gillard and her health minister Nicola Roxon who feel that they do not feel it worthy to support my patient's access to a fair rebate and so they will be out of pocket significantly as a result.

 

ondocfarm
1st Oct 2011
6:46am

Typical AMA, asleep at the wheel, too little too late and now trying to shut the stable door long after the horse as bolted!!

SWSLHD and Bowral's Health - 20

GPs to charge gap for Better Access Program

• By Michael Woodhead on  29 September 2011

The AMA has prepared a template letter that GPs can use to tell patients why they will face out of pocket expenses for mental health services under the Better Access Program.

The letter (link) explains that the Federal government reduced Medicare rebates for
GP mental health services by up to 49 per cent in the last budget, and the changes take effect from 1 November 2011.

The AMA says it supports GPs in charging fees that reflect the cost of providing patients a safe and high quality service, and that this will result in some patients facing an out of pocket expense for the first time for GP mental health services.

The template letter states that the practice unfortunately cannot lower fees to match the significant reduction in Medicare rebates implemented by the Government.

“The fees that this practice charges for our services reflect the cost of providing you with a safe and high quality service and the time that needs to be spent in caring for your health needs,” it says.

It also advises patients that if they wish to let the government know that they are unhappy with its decision, they can contact the Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon.

A recent survey by the AMA found that up to 50% of GPs would be forced to maintain their current fee and charge patients a gap, and up to 28% of GPs would stop using Medicare GP Mental Health Treatment items.

About six out of ten GPs thought the Budget cuts would lead them to spend less time with patients with mental health problems.

The AMA has meanwhile written to Health Minister Nicola Roxon calling for a moratorium on the Budget cuts to GP mental health services.

AMA president Dr Steve Hambleton said that a Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee – which received more than 1000 submissions – is currently looking into the Government’s handling of mental health services and is not due to report until 20 October.

“This leaves very little time for serious consideration of the Senate Committee report,” Dr Hambleton said.